Tropical Storm Isaac Dominican Republic
It will reach the country by Thursday night
Tropical Storm Isaac is about to move through the Leeward Islands this afternoon and is moving at about 21 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. It is about 75 miles east to northeast of Dominica and about 95 miles east to southeast of Guadeloupe. Isaac has winds blowing at 45 mph, according to hurricane specialists.
The storm will then pass near or south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday. By Thursday night Isaac will approach the Dominican Republic. At some point Thursday the tropical storm is expected to be a hurricane.
The five-day forecast track for Isaac takes the storm across the Dominican Republic, Cuba and then toward the peninsula of Florida by early Monday as a Category 1 hurricane. Of course, a lot can change between now and then.
Some people are comparing Isaac to Irene because of their similarities. For instance, Irene was named on August 20th 2011 and Isaac on August 21st 2012. Additionally, Irene formed just to the east of the Lesser Antilles and Isaac formed just a bit further to the east. While they have similarities, it is important to remember that no two storms are the same.
Hurricane specialists will have a better idea when the storm is expected to pass over the mountainous terrain of Hispaniola. Specialists say the move could weaken Isaac, but then the storm is expected to cross into the “very warm water between Cuba and Florida and strengthening appears likely”, according to the NHC’s 8 a.m. forecast discussion.
Dominican Republic Live, 22.08.12, 4.45pm
